Stories Under the Stars
Dancers use movement to tell stories at Kannapolis Branch Library

By Hugh Fisher
Kannapolis Citizen

The Kinetic Works dance company kept young and old entranced with funny stories and folklore told through interpretive dance.

Even though rain moved Saturday evening’s performance off the Kannapolis branch library’s patio and into the building, the audience of about 50 kids and families got into the swing of things — literally — singing and dancing along when asked and laughing at the more comical antics.

“We’re going to tell you some stories without talking,” leader Martha Connerton told the group of children sitting on the front row, cross-legged on the library’s carpet in front of the makeshift stage. “Do you think we can do that?”

“No,” answered one boy, with a doubtful tone.

“Well, we’re going to,” Connerton said happily.

For the next 45 minutes, Connerton and four dancers used music and expressive movements to bring three children’s stories to life.

They told the story of Lao Lao, an old Chinese woman, and the ice-cold dragon who rescues her, as written by Margaret Bateson-Hill.

Dancers brought to life a Native American tribe and the story of how its carefully woven dreamcatchers kept nightmares at bay, from the story by Audrey Osofsky.

And they got laughs from the audience with the antics of two Dr. Seuss characters, the Zax, from a short story in his book “The Sneetches and Other Stories.”

Dancers ended the night by getting the kids onto their feet to perform the parts of punctuation marks, using sound effects and motion to transform themselves into question marks, exclamation points, quotation marks and more.

“I really liked that last part,” said C.J. Smith, 8. “I was a period.”

And to demonstrate, he folded his arms and curled down into a small ball.

The Kinetic Works performance opened the 2008 Stories Under The Stars series of performances for kids and families, sponsored by the Cannon Memorial Library’s Kannapolis branch and the Kannapolis Parks and Recreation Department.

“This is our very first in a long series of events,” said Becky Tolle, special events coordinator for Kannapolis Parks and Recreation.

She praised the dance troupe’s storytelling and energy. “We’re very lucky to have them with us tonight,” Tolle said.

Connerton, founder of Kinetic Works, said that these educational programs are a delight to perform. The use of dance to teach children important skills is one of the things that led her to form the company in 2000.

“There are so many ways you can teach math, science and language arts through dance, through movement,” Connerton said.

After seeing the demand for music and dance instruction, Connerton began designing performances around favorite children’s tales.

“The schools have really caught on,” she said.

Cristina Catalani, one of the dancers, said she loves being able to bring a smile to children’s faces.

“It’s great watching them laugh and enjoy learning at the same time,” she said.
Starla Wood, another Kinetic Works dancer, said the work of blending song and movement was challenging but rewarding.

“It’s so much a part of every show that we do,” Wood said.

Since its formation, Kinetic Works has traveled to schools and organizations to give educational shows as well as performing more traditional dances for grown-up audiences.
Next month, at Charlotte’s Actor’s Theatre, they will perform dances to diverse music including Bach, Beethoven and blues legend Howlin’ Wolf.

This was the troupe’s first performance at Stories Under The Stars, and Tolle and librarian Terry Prather praised the turnout and the skill of the dancers.

“What a wonderful way to combine dance and learning,” Prather said.

The toughest audience in the room, the kids themselves, seemed to love every minute.

“It was very good,” said Jeremy Bowers, whose son, Camden, sat in his lap during the performance, spellbound by the dancers.

And others danced along as best they could in the library while the performers worked their magic.

“It’s always fun to see their faces and reactions,” said dancer Mitchell Hunter.
More on upcoming performances by the Kinetic Works dancers can be found at www.mckineticworks.org.

Stories Under The Stars continues with the Grey Seal Puppets performing “Salsa Cinderella,” May 18 at the Kannapolis branch library. For more information, call 704-920-1180 or go to www.cityofkannapolis.com.

Contact Hugh Fisher at 704-933-3450 or hfisher@kannapoliscitizen.com.